Clumsy me

This week has been so fast and furious that we had not unpacked all the suitcases, including mine in the bedroom. And of course it was the big one. Well, we had it sitting in the floor and the big cat, Tygger had taken it over as if to say, "you aren't going anywhere, anytime soon." That was okay, because we had it set it out of the way or at least I thought it was. The other night, I was going into the bedroom to go to bed, and the lights were off. Koda, the little dog was under my feet. I rounded the corner into our bedroom and went tripping pretty as you please over the edge of the suitcase, spilling right onto the floor. The suitcase had some kind of hard plastic edge to it that scraped and bruised my thigh all the way from the knee. I was laying on the floor crying and the dog was licking my face. He thought it was a game and funny. Inspite of my screaming when I fell, the kids did not wake up. Bob came in and rescued me, turned out I have a pretty bruise and abrasion. It has really hurt for a couple of days. We iced it down and I have been using IBprophin. I have been wearing shorts too, could not stand anything to touch it. Needless to say, the suitcase has been emptied and put away. Tygger is very angry with us too for doing that or maybe she was angry that we went away in the first place.

Comings and Goings, Dogs and Cats

Well we are all home safely. We had a nice relaxing stay in Chattanooga. The hotel had a indoor swimming pool, which the kids enjoyed a lot. And we went to the Tennessee Aquarium. Katy's comment was that it was fantastic. I think they liked the petting pools most of all.

Two days before we left our gray cat, Rhianna, was ran over and killed. Bob buried it so we wouldn't have to keep seeing it. We were very sad. And we were sad to come back and she wasn't there to greet us.

The day we left, the kids left the back door open by mistake and the dogs escaped to run free for awhile. So we had to wait on them. I picked up things and threw away trash while we waited. They came home, and we prepared to leave. Well wouldn't you know it, the kids left the door open again as we were ready to leave again, and there went the dogs. Koda, the little black dog, came back first and then the big brown dog, Lily Bear came home later. I think we spent about two hours with the dogs running and coming back before we could finally leave.

Well, today when we came home; one of the kids, left the back door open, and out the dogs went and away they ran. They didn't stay away as long this time though. And the kids didn't leave the door open again. I would say the dogs and cats are as glad for us to come home as we are to be home.

Friday 5: Changes

Friday Five: Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes from the reverendmother:

Many of the RevGals using Blogger are experiencing some chaos this week as they move from Old Blogger to New Blogger. (Is that anything like New Coke?)

Change is a given in life, yet it's not easy for any of us. So strap on your seat belts and let's talk about it:
1. Share, if you wish, the biggest change you experienced this past year.
Moving to Florence from Wadley.
2. Talk about a time you changed your mind about something, important or not.
I was interviewing for the DMin program of SBTS extension in Col., GA. I had an anxiety attack that morning. I decided it was in my best interest not to do the DMIN there. It was about the same time all the changes were going on there to a more Fundamental stance.
3. Bishop John Shelby Spong wrote a controversial book called "Why Christianity Must Change or Die." Setting aside his ideas--what kind of changes would you like to see in the Church?
Whose idea was it to ask this question. I haven't even read Spong's book yet. I'll have to think about this. But one of the things I have written is to change some of the hierarchy, some of the structure, some of the boards, some of the meetings. I would like to see more openness and equality. I would like to see healthier leaders and churches.
4. Have you changed your hairstyle/hair color in the last five years? If so, how many times?
Changed my hairstyle in the last five years? Are you kidding? My hairdresser that knew how to work with my hair moved away and its taken me several years to find another one who can do my hair right. Color, I have not changed, but it has been changing itself.
5. What WERE they thinking with that New Coke thing?Let us know in the comments if you play. Money, and more money, and they thought we would really just like it and take it. Boy were they dumb, it took them a long time to regain their market share. They really thought this new generation would accept it. Wrong wrong wrong.

Bonus; Songs or movie about change: A Change Is Gonna Come, Change The World, Change Your Mind, Don't Ever Change, The Change, Changes, The Times They are A Changing, A Change of Heart, Evil Ways, A Change (Would Do You Good), Free Bird, Nothing Going to Change My Love for You.

Wade in the Water

Well would you believe it, I performed a Baptism in a Baptist Church?

One of the children of St. John wanted to be Baptised by immersion. We weren't sure they would let me do it, but they were gracious about it. So we went to the church in the afternoon to do it. I kept it like a worship service, and not just a "dunk and go" service. Quite a few of our church members came out along with the family and extended family. Found out as I was going into the Baptistry that they had also invited the former Pastor to be there too. (He is 18 miles away.)

Well, I didn't want it to be a comedy but it had some of the makings of a good comedy. I have done Baptisms in the rivers, creeks, and swimming pools with no problem, but I weren't sure about this one. It was a cold cold windy day, so I borrowed the Preacher's waders. They of course were twice my size, didn't realize he was such a big man. The worst part was the boots were really big for my feet. As I was going down the steps which were too little for the boots and had no railing, I nearly slipped and fell. But finally got down by leaning over and putting my hands on the outside of the Baptistry. I got to the bottom and helped the girl into the pool. Of course she had no problems, but when she got down into it the water was higher than she. I got her over to the middle which was formed with three platforms. I could see everybody out there, but they could just barely see me and her. Do you know that the water pressure causes the waders to vacuum around you? It was the weirdest feeling. But we did it without a hitch. I was thinking I need to get me my own waders that are made for petite women like me. I have a feeling I am going to be doing a whole lot more Baptism by immersion.

This Baptism brought back memories of my childhood baptism. I remembered going up the back steps around to a room that led to the Baptistry. It was dark and scary for me then. Mom went with me to help out. The water was freezing then, and mom forgot towels and a change of clothes. We still had the service to seat through. I nearly drowned, because I was too short and even though they had some bricks to stand on, I couldn't reach them. But I was baptised and it meant the world to me then, I knew Jesus was in my heart and that I loved Him and He loved me.

There are some pictures of this baptism I did, but they are not digital, I'll have to see if I can scan them in for you to see them. I don't have any from when I was a kid, you know they didn't take pictures of those back then, unless it was a baby's baptism.

The Methodist Blues

Methodist Blues (lyrics)

by Garrison Keillor

I've been going to church every Sunday morn

Still don't know if I've been reborn

I'm sixty years old, is there something I've missed

Or is it just that I'm Methodist?

I got the Methodist blues.

The organist's mad, the pastor's unhappy

The hours are long and the pay is crappy

Troubles? O we got a whole long list

Because we are Methodists

Got the Methodist blues

The sound system's bad, there's a buzz in the speaker

The budget is busted, the collection is meager,

This great big debt load we been carryin

Maybe we oughta be Unitarian

People gossip about who did what,

The ladies circle is a pain in the butt.

Want to slap their face or at least their wrist

But I can't cause I am a Methodist

I got the Methodist blues

We're not big on shows and dances,

Mixed drinks or big romances

I've been hugged but never French kissed

That's because I'm a Methodist

I got the Methodist blues

Everybody wants to sit in the back pews

Want the sermon to reflect their views

Some of these Christians, they are the rudest

What do you say we try being Buddhist?

The same ten people always volunteer,

Half of them old, the others just weird,

How ever do we manage to persist

We do it by being Methodist

I got the Methodist blues.

People offer to help then they don't remember

It can make you almost lose your temper

Sit and steam and clench your fist

But you can't hit them, you're Methodist,

Got the Methodist blues.

God put us here to serve a mission

But people won't come if you don't air condition.

We've got the blues and we're getting more bluish

Why don't we switch to Jewish?

Everyone's afraid of change.

Don't like anything new or strange.

Or we get our underwear in a twist

That's how it is with a Methodist

I got the Methodist blues

Listen:

http://www.publicradio.org/tools/media/player/start/00:00:03:55.0/end/00:00:07:36.0/phc/2004/06/12_phc.ram

A fellow Methodist Minister sent this to me, not sure if this means he has the Methodist Blues.
But much of what Garrison Keillor sings is true. But I thought he was Lutheran, so how does he know so much about the Methodist? Maybe we all aren't so different after all? Maybe all we Methodist got the Methodist Blues. I don't feel like I do, because I am a Christian, a follower of Christ, the Methodist Church is a functional way of living it out just as any other denomination or nondenomination is. If we got the Methodist Blues how come so many Methodist churches are alive and well? How come they are becoming innovative, inspirational, and relevant? How come more people are living out their passion and gifts as laity? How come more Pastors are growing spiritually and alive in their ministry?

Yes, there are the churches who are dying. Yes there are the laity that keep doing the same old thing. Yes there are often the same ten that volunteer in some churches. And yes there is often the lack of follow through. But you have to say there are many laity, Pastors and churches who are alive, singing a new song, a song that God has given them.

Are you singing the blues or a new song that God has given you?